During
the closing of the Ministerial Conference, chaired by Japan's
Deputy Foreign Minister Ichiro Fujisaki (right), Chairs
of Ministerial Conference sub-groups presented their Summaries.
Delegates then commented on the Chairs' Summaries, drawing
attention to, inter alia: indigenous peoples' rights; the
effects of climate change and armed conflict on water and
ecosystems; gender issues; the need for financial assistance
for sustainable water management and ecosystem protection
in developing countries; an African initiative to create
a framework to further develop agriculture to combat malnutrition
and poverty; and the effect of HIV/AIDS on all areas of
development, including the water sector. The Closing Plenary
for the 3rd World Water Forum convened briefly in the afternoon.
Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan was present and the winners
of the Water Action Contest announced. The Forum was formally
closed at 2:50 pm.

Ministerial
Conference: Closing Plenary

Closing
of the 3rd World Water Forum

Crown
Prince Naruhito ofJapan enters the building for the Closing Plenary session
of the Forum

Mahmoud
Abu-Zeid, President of the World Water Council (left) and Ryutaro Hashimoto,
Chairman of the National Steering Committee of 3rd World Water Forum

Koki Chuma, Japanese
Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

William
Cosgrove, WWC, presented the three winners of the Water Action Contest,
including: Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy, China; Technology
Transfer Division, Bombas de Mecate, Nicaragua; and Voluntary Action
for Development, Uganda. Hashimoto presented a prize of US$ 15,000 to
the winners.